Area Studies, Other.
Data details: Graduation rate, gender, ethnicity, and summary are for this specific degree (6-digit CIP) from IPEDS. Salary, debt, and related financial outcomes are based on the degree category (4-digit CIP) from the College Scorecard API. ← Back to search
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Please use your own discretion when interpreting these results. For certain degrees, a limited number of institutions report to the government's College Scorecard API, which may cause the data to be skewed or less representative of national trends. Consider these figures as informative but not definitive, and consult additional sources or advisors for important decisions.
Debt to Income Ratio
Debt-to-income analysis for Area Studies, Other.: The DTI for this program is 61.7%, which is within the generally accepted range for higher education. While not as low as some top-performing degrees, this ratio suggests that most graduates can manage their student loan payments, especially if they secure employment in related fields. If you are considering Area Studies, Other., compare your expected starting salary (currently $33158) to the average debt ($20472) to ensure it fits your financial goals in .
Degrees with a DTI between 0.5 and 0.8 are common, but it's wise to plan your budget and consider loan repayment options.
Important financial note for Area Studies, Other.: The debt-to-income ratio for this program is 61.7%, which is above the recommended maximum of 80%. This means that, on average, graduates may need to dedicate a significant portion of their first-year earnings to student loan payments. If you are considering Area Studies, Other., be sure to weigh the average starting salary ($33158) against the typical student debt ($20472), and explore scholarships, grants, or alternative funding sources to reduce your financial burden in and beyond.
Key Insights
If you’re thinking about Area Studies, Other., you’re looking at a field that’s both challenging and rewarding. Typical starting salaries are around $33158, with grads carrying about $20472 in student loans and a debt-to-income ratio of 0.62—which is manageable for most.
Each year, over 6170 students complete this major, so you’ll have plenty of peers to connect with. Whether you’re motivated by salary, job outlook, or the chance to build something meaningful, Area Studies, Other. can help you get there. Make the most of your college years by seeking out hands-on experiences and building your network.
Degree Overview
Area Studies, Other (CIP 05.0199) is an interdisciplinary field that allows for the deep, comprehensive study of specific geographic regions or trans-regional cultures that do not fit into traditional categories like European or Asian Studies. This "Other" designation is often used for frontier studies, polar studies (Arctic/Antarctic), or maritime cultures—regions that are defined more by shared environments or political shifts than by single continental borders.
This degree is ideal for students who are intellectually curious, culturally adaptable, and interested in global affairs. It is a path for those who want to become "subject matter experts" on a specific part of the world, understanding its language, history, economy, and politics to act as a bridge between that region and the rest of the globe.
What Is an Area Studies (Other) Degree?
An Area Studies (Other) degree focuses on a "holistic" understanding of a place. Instead of studying just history or just economics, you study how they influence each other in a specific context. Because it is categorized as "Other," these programs are often at the forefront of modern geopolitics, focusing on areas like the Pacific Rim, the Silk Road, or the African Diaspora. It is a field that recognizes that borders are often fluid and that understanding a region requires looking at it from multiple angles at once.
Schools offer this degree to:
- Train specialists who can navigate the unique cultural and legal landscapes of specific regions
- Prepare professionals for roles in international diplomacy and intelligence
- Develop researchers who can analyze how global trends (like climate change) affect specific regional populations
- Bridge the gap between local traditional knowledge and globalized business or policy
What Will You Learn?
Students learn to "think locally while acting globally," mastering the specific nuances that make a region unique.
Core Skills You’ll Build
Most students learn to:
- Achieve fluency in a regional language (often a non-traditional or "critical" language)
- Conduct cross-cultural research using primary sources and field observations
- Analyze regional political structures and their relationship to international law
- Understand the economic drivers of a region, from natural resources to emerging tech hubs
- Navigate the social and religious customs that influence daily life and business
- Synthesize complex information to write intelligence reports or policy recommendations
Topics You May Explore
Coursework is highly interdisciplinary and tailored to the specific area of study:
- Regional History and Literature: Understanding the stories a region tells about itself.
- International Relations: How the area interacts with superpowers like the US, China, and the EU.
- Economic Development: The challenges and successes of local industries and trade.
- Geography and Ecology: How the physical environment shapes the culture and survival of the people.
- Post-Colonial Studies: Examining the lasting impact of historical occupations and independence movements.
- Ethnography: Learning the methods of studying people and cultures through immersion.
What Jobs Can You Get With This Degree?
Graduates find roles in organizations that need high-level cultural intelligence and regional expertise.
Common job roles include:
- Intelligence Analyst: Monitoring regional developments for government agencies like the State Department or CIA.
- Foreign Service Officer: Representing your country's interests at embassies and consulates.
- International Business Consultant: Helping companies expand into new, specialized markets.
- NGO Program Manager: Overseeing humanitarian or development projects in a specific region.
- Journalist/Foreign Correspondent: Reporting on news from a specialized geographic beat.
- Cultural Resource Manager: Working to preserve heritage sites or advising on local tourism.
Where Can You Work?
Opportunities exist anywhere that operates across international borders:
- Federal Government: In departments focused on defense, trade, or international aid.
- Multinational Corporations: In roles related to strategy, logistics, and supply chain management.
- International Non-Profits: Organizations like the United Nations or the Red Cross.
- Think Tanks and Research Institutes: Producing reports on global security and regional trends.
- Universities and Museums: In roles related to education, research, and curation.
How Much Can You Earn?
Earnings in this field depend heavily on the sector (government vs. private) and the "critical" nature of the region you study.
- Intelligence Analysts: Median annual salary of approximately $85,000–$110,000.
- Foreign Service Officers: Salaries typically range from $65,000 to $120,000 (plus housing/travel allowances).
- International Business Consultants: Median annual salary of around $90,000–$130,000.
- Policy Analysts: Salaries often range from $70,000 to $95,000.
Is This Degree Hard?
The difficulty is in the depth of immersion. Learning a difficult language while simultaneously mastering history and economics requires significant mental stamina. You must be comfortable with "nuance"—understanding that there is rarely a simple answer to regional conflicts. Many programs also require or strongly encourage studying abroad, which requires high levels of independence and adaptability.
Who Should Consider This Degree?
This degree may be a good fit if you:
- Love traveling and learning about different ways of life
- Have a natural talent for learning new languages
- Are fascinated by global news and how different countries interact
- Want a career that allows you to be a "bridge" between different groups of people
- Enjoy "detective work"—piecing together history, politics, and culture to understand a situation
How to Prepare in High School
- Take classes in World History, Geography, Economics, and a Foreign Language
- Follow international news outlets (like the BBC, Al Jazeera, or Reuters) daily
- Join a Model United Nations (MUN) or World Affairs club
- Practice your writing and research skills; you will need to produce high-level reports
- If possible, participate in a student exchange program or travel to a region that interests you
The ability to navigate a foreign culture with respect, expertise, and strategic insight is the hallmark of a successful professional in Area Studies.
Personality Fit (RIASEC Profile)
Official assessment tool by the U.S. Department of Labor